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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
My favorite CD before I lost it in a fire evacuation Jul 27, 2009
Gaaaaah!
I loved this CD. For me it is even better than the Reiner Pictures at an Exhibition recording, which says quite a bit. Scheherezade is masterfully written, and is by far my favorite piece by Rimsky-Korsakov, especially the middle two movements. Every single one of the four movements are far beyond the standard musical performance however, and I highly recommend listening to all four over and over again.
My crackpot theory I developed from the Wikipedia article about the composer is that Rimsky-Korsakov had help from his wife when writing this piece, as it is an excellent synthesis of a variety of musical styles, not just the conservative Russian style found in many of Rimsky-Korsakov's other works, and the end product in this CD is life-changing, at least for me it was.
The Stravinsky piece is also nice, although this piece is in the opposite situation as Scherezade, as I find that some other pieces by Stravinsky are a bit easier to understand for those who mostly listen to older musical styles. Contemporary music is undeniably important however, and I highly recommend this recording as it is well performed and is not as well known as some of Stravinsky's other works.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Great Sound, One Of The Best Performances Of Scheherazade Feb 15, 2009
Legend has it that conductor Fritz Reiner had a very foul temperament. I'm sure there must be some truth to this, because what we have here is one of the best performances of "Scheherazade" I've ever heard. Like all great conductors, Reiner was had magnificent control over his orchestra. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays with a lot of passion and anyone with ears can hear this in this performance.
This is a beautiful performance and should be essential listening to anyone interested in classical music. There is also a great version of Stravinsky's "Song of the Nightingale" that is noteworthy.
I would wager that Reiner's "Scheherazade" is one of the finest I've heard so far. Highly recommended.
1 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Listen in COMPLETE Surround--if you dare Nov 14, 2008
Hear a new revelation in sound with this SACD.
RCA originally recorded this in 1960 using 3 channels. That makes this recording nearly 50 years old. Don't let that fool you. This is an EXCEPTIONAL recording. The fidelity is remarkable. It is not flawless and the highs can have a bit of an edge. Also, crashes on the cymbal occasionally overload the left channel. But the spatial aspects of this recording defy its half century age. In the 3 channel presentation there is a presence and dimensionality too often missing in more recent recordings. There exists a soundstage that extends beyond the left and right speakers and there is a depth of sound where the instruments have height combined with front to back spatial integration creating a convincing 3D image.
The performance itself is stellar. I have the SACD of the Kirov Orchestra recorded in 2002. The great Russian (actually Ossetian) conductor Valery Gergiev gives an invigorating reading of this score, but for me the orchestra lacks the finish of the CSO under Reiner. Reiner's performance has a mystery, that Gergiev lacks. And Reiner has fire and passion that explodes across the stage. For me, Reiner gives the definitive reading of this magnificent score.
The following FOR SACD AUDIOPHILES ONLY--
BUT--if you really want to launch your rocket, try putting your SACD player in 2 CHANNEL mode and switching your receiver into Dolby PLIIx music mode. With this setup (this ONLY works if your player AND receiver are connected via HDMI cable) you will get the full SACD dynamic range expertly and convincingly distributed into your 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 surround system. Suddenly you are not just listening from the audience, but you are quite literally in the middle of the orchestra. Now if you are a purist you will never go there, but if you want a really involving experience (and you have the system to pull it off) give this a spin. WARNING: If you try listening this way, going back will somehow sound a little FLAT. And MORE, you might even dare try this with regular CDs or other 2/3 channel SACDs. I promise, you will Hear a new revelation in sound with this SACD.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Historic -- the best Scheherazade ever! Details follow... Mar 29, 2008
Scheherazade is performed a LOT. Fritz Reiner was well-aware of this fact in 1960 when he conceived this historic recording. As a consequence, he fostered no desire to yield just another run-of-the-mill performance. Here's a blurp from the notes which explains his subsequent efforts more fully:
"Some weeks before the actual recording was made, most of the existing recordings of the music were studied, re-studied, judged and re-judged. The best were very good, but short of that perfection for which all mortals strive. One version reveled in buttery sound and not always accurate execution; another proferred razor-sharp execution and equally ear-rending decibel content; still a third beckoned you from afar with a 'concert-hall' pickup, and so it went. To capture the Arabian temptress in all her glittering changes was not a simple task...
Once each of the facets of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was heard [referring to the lengthy orchestra practice sessions], music making was in order. During the morning session the first two movements were recorded, the last two during the afternoon period. Throughout the six hours required, there was constant exhortation by Dr. Reiner to the men in the orchestra 'to play with glow, not perspiration'. The performance had to be supple and sensuous, the sound alternately to shimmer and stun, with clarity in its definition, sonority and intensity in its climaxes."
Folks, this is about as perfect as it's ever going to get.
Just to follow up, the 1956 recording of Stravinsky's "Song of the Nightingale" is also quite good and is a piece that, in this level of quality, isn't all that easy to find. And it's also a perfect second, complementary piece to Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade".
This is an ADD recording/CD.
A must-have for collectors and a superb choice for all others.
Classic Treasure Mar 23, 2008
Conductor Fritz Reiner beautifully captures the fragrant aromas of Rimsky-Korsakov's exotic orchestrations with great poetry and sensitivity and just the right touches of elegance and flair from concertmaster Sidney Harth and the Chicago Symphony to make this one of the greatest performances ever. I am always stirred by the trumpet player's tonguing technique here and the driving, onward pace of the final movement of Scheherazade. The Stravinsky is also a marvel to hear, one of the thrilling and colorful works that display the composer's indebtedness to his wonderful composition teacher, Rimsky-Korsakov. The mastering in this edition is spectacular in SACD and all three specialized formats and the compatibility all in one disk is extraordinary.
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